With all the attention focused on William Petersen's successful contract negotiations, this ginormous scoopbit nearly slipped right by: Sources confirm to me exclusively that original CSIer Gary Dourdan— whose contract is also set to expire next month — has informedproducers that he is leaving the show. Although a precise timeframe isnot known, CSI's May 15 season finale could serve as Warrick's swan song.

This is the second major departure to rock CSI this season. As anyone with a pulse and/or access to TVGuide.com knows, Jorja Fox made her final appearance as Sara in November. The good news: Marg Helgenberger and George Eads are expected to follow Petersen's lead and re-up with the show.

Meanwhile, CSIexecs aren't wasting any time searching for Dourdan's replacement. I'mtold producers have put out a casting call for a new male seriesregular in his late twenties to early thirties to play Ray Santoro, a"handsome, smart and athletic" CSI who transfers from Henderson to jointhe graveyard shift at the Las Vegas crime lab.

OK, CSIfans: Are you sad to see Dourdan/Warrick go? And in terms of thepotential impact to the show, is this less than, equal to or greaterthan Fox's exit last fall? Too shocked to process it all? Splash somecold Snapple on your face and start discussing!